History
ANTIQUITY
Today the archeological excavations continue and they bring to light evidence and new data about another developed ancient civilization – the Thracian Civilization, considered to have Indo-European origins. It is presumed that Thracian tribes settled on the Balkan Peninsula about 3500 B.C. The first historical data about them we find in Homer's Iliad, where Thracians are described as allies of the Trojans during the Trojan War. "The Father of History" Herodotus says that “Thracians are the most numerous tribe after the Indians”. Thracians establish rich and highly developed civilization proof for which are the many treasures and burial chambers (like the famous Kazanlak sepulchre) scattered all over our territory. It is also presumed that their civilization had strong influence over the forming of the Hellenic culture and that Ancient Greeks have their worship of Dionysius and myths for Orpheus thanks to Thracians.
In the middle of 4th century B.C. Thracians were forcibly integrated into the Macedonian state at the time under the ruling of Philip II of Macedonia and later on his son Alexander the Great. Anyway at the end of the century they regained their independence again.
In the year 45 A.D. the territory of Thrace (present-day Bulgaria) was overrun by the Roman armies and was declared Roman province, which put an end to the independence of all Thracian tribes. Thrace and Moesia became official Roman provinces with cities of importance like Philippopolis (present day Plovdiv), Serdika (present day Sofia), Augusta Traiana (present day Stara Zagora), Pautalia (present day Kyustendil) and Nicopolis ad Istrum (situated about 20 km off present day Veliko Tarnovo). During Roman times, Thrace provided constant flow of soldiers and gladiators for the great empire. The leader of the biggest slave revolt against Rome, the gladiator Spartacus, was born Thracian from the tribe of Maedi. In one of the biggest cities of Ancient Thrace, Serdica (today's Sofia) the Council of Serdica took place in 343 A.D., 18 years after the first ecumenical Council of Nicaea. 318 bishops from the whole Roman Empire took participation in it. The Council of Serdica is considered predecessor of the great schism of 1054 A.D. which finally split the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches. Some of the buildings in which the Council of Serdica took place and which the bishops used as dwellings still exist today. In 395 A.D. Thrace and Moesia join the Eastern Roman Empire to which they give two emperors – Marcian (450 A.D.- 457 A.D.) and Justinian the Great (527 A.D.-565 A.D.)
Today most information we have about Thracians, their culture and traditions comes from the archeological excavations of Thracian tombs, settlements, temples and sanctuaries scattered all over our territory. The Archeological Complex Perperikon, the tombs in Starosel, Kazanlak and Sveshtari, as well as the Rogozen Treasure and the Panagyurishte Gold Treasure are just few good examples.
Today the archeological excavations continue and they bring to light evidence and new data about another developed ancient civilization – the Thracian Civilization, considered to have Indo-European origins. It is presumed that Thracian tribes settled on the Balkan Peninsula about 3500 B.C. The first historical data about them we find in Homer's Iliad, where Thracians are described as allies of the Trojans during the Trojan War. "The Father of History" Herodotus says that “Thracians are the most numerous tribe after the Indians”. Thracians establish rich and highly developed civilization proof for which are the many treasures and burial chambers (like the famous Kazanlak sepulchre) scattered all over our territory. It is also presumed that their civilization had strong influence over the forming of the Hellenic culture and that Ancient Greeks have their worship of Dionysius and myths for Orpheus thanks to Thracians.
In the middle of 4th century B.C. Thracians were forcibly integrated into the Macedonian state at the time under the ruling of Philip II of Macedonia and later on his son Alexander the Great. Anyway at the end of the century they regained their independence again.
In the year 45 A.D. the territory of Thrace (present-day Bulgaria) was overrun by the Roman armies and was declared Roman province, which put an end to the independence of all Thracian tribes. Thrace and Moesia became official Roman provinces with cities of importance like Philippopolis (present day Plovdiv), Serdika (present day Sofia), Augusta Traiana (present day Stara Zagora), Pautalia (present day Kyustendil) and Nicopolis ad Istrum (situated about 20 km off present day Veliko Tarnovo). During Roman times, Thrace provided constant flow of soldiers and gladiators for the great empire. The leader of the biggest slave revolt against Rome, the gladiator Spartacus, was born Thracian from the tribe of Maedi. In one of the biggest cities of Ancient Thrace, Serdica (today's Sofia) the Council of Serdica took place in 343 A.D., 18 years after the first ecumenical Council of Nicaea. 318 bishops from the whole Roman Empire took participation in it. The Council of Serdica is considered predecessor of the great schism of 1054 A.D. which finally split the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches. Some of the buildings in which the Council of Serdica took place and which the bishops used as dwellings still exist today. In 395 A.D. Thrace and Moesia join the Eastern Roman Empire to which they give two emperors – Marcian (450 A.D.- 457 A.D.) and Justinian the Great (527 A.D.-565 A.D.)
Today most information we have about Thracians, their culture and traditions comes from the archeological excavations of Thracian tombs, settlements, temples and sanctuaries scattered all over our territory. The Archeological Complex Perperikon, the tombs in Starosel, Kazanlak and Sveshtari, as well as the Rogozen Treasure and the Panagyurishte Gold Treasure are just few good examples.
